Get Crackin’

It’s okay to lick the Old Bay off your fingers and put your elbows
on the table covered with brown paper. At these three crab decks, manners
take a back seat to sweet Maryland crabs.

Photograph by Edwin Remsburg

45 miles from the Washington Monument

Bo Brooks Restaurant & Catering

2780-A Lighthouse Point, Baltimore; 410-558-0202

This hidden urban gem is at a marina near the city’s hip Canton
Square. Seats at the floating deck and tiki bar let you watch city lights
sparkling on the water. For 48 years, the place has been steaming crabs
with Natty Boh and pickle juice. Must-eat treats: Half n Half
(tomato-based- and cream-of-crab soups swirled together), Crab Fluff
(beer-battered, deep-fried crabcake), and house-made potato salad laced
with sweet relish.

Fisherman’s Inn & Crab Deck

3116 Main St., Grasonville, Md.; 410-827-6666

You can pick a dining area to match your mood at this Kent
Narrows landmark. The inn’s decor includes antique oyster plates, duck
decoys, a huge fish tank, and a train suspended from the ceiling to
entertain kids. The casual crab deck sits on the water serving just-caught
seafood on brown paper. Best bet: steamer pots packed with crabs, shrimp,
and clams. After eating, hit the tiki bar and sip rum drinks in a
tropical-island setting.

Stoney’s Solomons Pier

14575 Solomons Island Rd. S., Solomons, Md.;
410-326-2424

In the heart of Solomons Island, you can dine on a pier with a
360-degree view of the Patuxent River and cruising boats. Three bars and
two fantastic decks make this a perfect summer spot. The menu is a
cornucopia of local catch: crabs, oysters, rockfish, and more. Eat in or
take out treats from its bustling seafood market.

Meatloaf and Moonshine

The burgeoning food scene in Culpeper makes it
a great spot for lunch. Try the ground-tenderloin meatloaf sandwich at
Foti’s (219 E. Davis St.; 540-825-1011), run by a couple
who trained at the Inn at Little Washington, or order a wood-fired pizza
at Thyme Market (128 E. Davis St.; 540-825-4264). Then
drive ten miles from the center of town for a tour at Stillhouse
Distillery at Belmont Farm (13490 Cedar Run Rd.; 540-825-3207),
where owner Chuck Miller makes moonshine the way his granddaddy taught
him.

—Andrea C. Poe

Creekside Picnic

Photograph of Goodstone by Jane Rader

Goodstone Inn’s picnic

42 miles from the Washington Monument

Take in the modernistic elegance of Boxwood Estate
Winery(2042 Burrland Rd., Middleburg; 540-687-8778; $10
tasting fee; open Friday through Sunday) and pick up a bottle of
excellent dry rosé, then head to Goodstone Inn &
Restaurant(36205 Snake Hill Rd., Middleburg;
540-687-4645) for a gourmet picnic for two beside Goose Creek. The
seasonal menu changes daily but includes such fare as wild king salmon
over ratatouille, country pâté, farmstead cheeses, field greens with
Champagne vinaigrette, and house-made cookies. Blanket included; starts at
$35 a person, by reservation.

—Nancy Bauer Collier

Rockets’ Red Glare

Photograph courtesy of the National Park Service

41 miles from the Washington Monument

The battle that inspired “The Star Spangled Banner” will light
up the sky during a mock bombardment and War of 1812 encampment September
7 through 9 at Baltimore’s Fort McHenry.2400 E. Fort
Ave.; 410-962-4290.

Start a day trip to Fredericksburg at the visitors’
center(706 Caroline St.; 540-373-1776), which sells
money-saving passes and runs a 14-minute orientation video. For a deeper
overview, you can choose a tour—by foot, carriage, or trolley.

With more than 350 original 18th- and early-19th-century
buildings, the well-preserved 40-block historic district has a vibrant mix
of shops selling fine antiques, kitschy vintage treasures, art, and
clothing.

Whittingham(1021 Caroline St.;
540-374-0443) has terrific wares for cooking and dining, but it’s the
artistic windows staged by Bob Whittingham, a former display director for
Cartier, that ice the cake. For art that’s on sale, head to
LibertyTown Arts Workshop(916 Liberty St.;
540-371-7255), where 45 artists create, display, and sell their work.
More than 20 other galleries are sprinkled around town.

Take a detour across the Rappahannock River to
Belmont(224 Washington St., Falmouth;
540-654-1015), the former home and studio of the eminent portrait
artist Gari Melchers and his wife, Corinne. The 16-room home on 27 acres
displays the art and antiques they collected as well as many of Melchers’s
own paintings.

History buffs can take in four battlefields at
Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park(1013 Lafayette Blvd.; 540-373-6122) and hear fascinating stories
about one of the Civil War’s most fought-over territories.

The area has plenty of dining options, from traditional French
to Modern American. Year-and-a-half-old Foodē(1006
Caroline St; 540-479-1370) stands out for its creative menu, casual
atmosphere—you order and pay at the counter—and no-tipping policy. It even
serves breakfast on weekends; get there early for the huge, flaky biscuits
of the day.

—Ann Cochran

Presidential Retreat

Photograph of Montpelier by Kenneth M Wyner

90 miles from the Washington Monument

Montpelier has emerged more historic than ever
from a $25-million restoration. The house has been renovated to appear as
it did when James Madison renovated it from 1809 to 1812. Tucked amid the
Blue Ridge Mountains, Montpelier is where Madison spent his childhood, his
early marriage, and his post-presidency, including his dying day.
Admission $18 for adults, $7 for children. 11407 Constitution Hwy.,
Montpelier Station, Va.; 540-672-2728; montpelier.org.

—Andrea C. Poe

Taste of Italy

41 miles from the Washington Monument

Bring your lawn chair to the corner of High and Stiles streets
in Baltimore on any Friday through August after 7 pm for free concerts and
al fresco cinema—from The Talented Mr. Ripley to Cinema
Paradiso—at the Little Italy Open Air Festival.littleitalymd.com.

Ride Into History

Photograph of Reenactor by Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Experience Gettysburg the way soldiers did—in uniform, atop a
horse.

82 miles from the Washington Monument

Any visit to Gettysburg National Military Park
can be a powerful experience, but it becomes even more so when you mount a
horse and assume the role of a Union or Confederate solider.

Confederate Trails of Gettysburg Horseback Tours has teamed up
with Victorian Photography Studio—a guide leads up to eight riders,
dressed in period costumes, along paths on the battlefield. Called the
Soldiers Ride, the tour lasts about an hour and gives you a sense of what
it was like to be in this epic battle.

Confederate Trails offers other horseback options, including
the two-hour Scenic Ride, which visits major sites on the battlefield such
as where General Robert E. Lee waited for his returning troops after
Pickett’s Charge—a prime perch with a panoramic view of the Peach Orchard
and Little Round Top.

The guides are Civil War buffs who share everything from battle
strategy to 19th-century political gossip to remedies for wartime clothing
malfunctions.

Horses with names like Patriot and Freedom are well trained and
patient with even inexperienced riders. (Children must be at least eight
years old to ride.) Tours range from $42 to $99 a person.
717-476-7428; confederatetrailsofgettysburg.com.

—Andrea C. Poe

New Inner Harbor Fun

Photograph of Aquarium courtesy of National Aquarium

At the National Aquarium, visitors can get up-close to Atlantic
bottlenose dolphins.

40 miles from the Washington Monument

With dozens of waterfront attractions, the Inner Harbor in
Baltimore has long been a favorite family destination.

Two of the harbor’s biggest draws are the National
Aquarium(501 E. Pratt St.; 410-576-3800) and
Port Discovery Children’s Museum(35 Market Pl.;
410-727-8120). The aquarium has replaced its timed dolphin shows with
interactive experiences in which visitors can watch trainers work with the
dolphins. Nearby, a three-story maze of tubes and rope bridges, science
and art activities, and a kid-size 1950s diner are just a few reasons why
Forbes ranked Port Discovery one of the country’s top children’s
museums.

There are more than 60 restaurants at the harbor, but amid a
sea of chains the Pratt Street Ale House(206 W.
Pratt St.; 410-244-8900), a locally owned sports bar with tin
ceilings and brick arches, stands out. The menu offers such kid favorites
as wings, burgers, and mac and cheese, and adults can order flavorful
gumbo and house-crafted beer.

—Andrea C. Poe

Up for a Family Hike?

Harpers Ferry by Danita Delimont/Getty Images

66 miles from the Washington Monument

Near Harpers Ferry, the Maryland Heights Trail
offers a spectacular overlook of the historic town and the spot
where the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers meet. To make it a longer, more
strenuous hike, when you set out, stay left past the Naval Battery and
take the Stone Fort Trail loop to the summit before joining the Overlook
Cliff Trail. www.hikingupward.com/omh/marylandheights.

Kiddie Wonderland

119 miles from the Washington Monument

For families with children of varying ages, the amusement park
DUTCH WONDERLAND has broad appeal. The clean,
well-maintained park offers everything from rides for little ones less
than three feet tall to a water park and live entertainment. Admission is
$35.99 for ages three and up; kids under age two are free. 2249
Lincoln Hwy. E., Lancaster, Pa.; 866-386-2839.

Take Them Out to a Ball Game

Photograph of Harry Grove Stadium by Tim Jacobsen

A Frederick Keys game is a fun way to immerse little ones in
our national pastime.

44 miles from the Washington Monument

Okay, your family-room flat-screen might be larger than the
JumboTron behind left field at the Frederick Keys’ Harry Grove
Stadium. This is minor-league ball after all, and the cozy home
for this single-A Baltimore Orioles affiliate holds only 8,000. If the
seats were any closer to the dugouts and the diamond, you’d be picking the
players’ cast-off sunflower shells out of your beverage.

The Nationals are playing well (as of this writing) and there
are other minor-league teams in the Washington area, including the Nats’
own single-A team in Woodbridge. But the Frederick Keys—coming off their
fourth Carolina League championship season—offer the quintessential
family-friendly ballpark outing.

You know this team has tykes in mind as soon you see the
merry-go-round twirling alongside the right-field fence—part of a munchkin
magnet called the Fun Zone, with moon bounces and carnival games, where
you’ll hear more shrieks and squeals than in the front row of a Justin
Bieber concert. The kind of childishness you’re not likely to encounter at
Keys games is beer-besotted adults cursing a blue streak. You can enjoy
the game with your hands on a hot dog, not over your little one’s
ears.

The intimate ballpark is the perfect place to introduce the
next generation to the nuances of our national pastime, and there are
plenty of between-innings high jinks. The mascot, Keyote—it sort of looks
like a coyote—tirelessly works the stands, high-fiving every
cotton-candy-sticky hand he can.

It’s all cheap, too. Advance tickets range from $9 to $12 for
adults and $6 to $7 for kids, with game-day walkups just a couple of bucks
more. 21 Stadium Dr., Frederick; 301-662-0013.

—Brennen Jensen

Avast Ye, Maties!

66 miles from the Washington Monument

All hands on deck: Head to Annapolis to set sail aboard a
pirate ship and spend 75 minutes searching the Chesapeake Bay for Pirate
Pete and stolen treasure. Through Pirate Adventures on the
Chesapeake, toddlers to tweens are assigned pirate names and
enjoy dressing up in costume and face painting prior to boarding. Choose
among six daily departures; tickets are $19. 311 Third St., Annapolis;
410-263-0002.

—Monica Sakala

By Bike and By Boat

Photograph of bikers by Andrew Propp

The Mount Vernon Trail’s southern end crosses marshes where you
might spot blue herons and ducks.

7 miles from the Washington Monument

The portion of the Mount Vernon Trail between Old Town
Alexandria and Mount Vernon is scenic and peaceful, and now you can bike
it—and leave your bicycle behind. On a Mount Vernon by Bike and Boat
self-guided tour offered by Bike and Roll, you get a
rental bike and helmet, admission to Mount Vernon, and a return boat
ride.

It’s an easy nine miles from the bike-rental spot in Old Town
to George Washington’s Mount Vernon. The path glides up and down through
woods and along the Potomac River.

For added fun—and a longer, 17-mile ride—start around 10 am and
head north four miles to Gravelly Point, where you can watch planes take
off and land at Reagan National Airport, then head south.

When you arrive at the trail’s southern end, at Mount Vernon,
you simply attach the bike and helmet to a designated bike rack. The
atrium-style French cafe in the food court is a good place for
lunch.

Plan on spending at least three hours touring the 500-acre
estate. A good place to start is the orientation center, which features a
scale model of the mansion. Continue on to the museum and education
center, where there are 25 galleries and theaters showing short
documentaries, before exploring the mansion.

The former plantation includes slave quarters and other
outbuildings, beautiful gardens, and the final resting place of George and
Martha. You can witness 18th-century farming and cooking techniques at the
Pioneer Farm, with its 16-sided barn designed by Washington.

Make sure to be at the pier next to the lower farm by 4 for the
cruise back to Alexandria. The relaxing narrated tour covers the history
and sites along the river and gets you back to Old Town at
5:30.

Mount Vernon by Bike and Boat costs $58 for adults, $38 for
ages 6 through 12, $20 under age 6. 202-842-2453;
bikethesites.com.

—Matthew Graham

Tee Time

37 miles from the Washington Monument

Stonewall Golf Club, in Prince William County,
is a challenging course with lush fairways. Considered one of the
country’s best public courses, it offers spectacular water views.15601
Turtle Point Dr., Gainesville; 703-753-5101.

Work With Your Hands

Photograph of Apprentice Program courtesy of Chesapeake Bay
Maritime Museum

81 miles from the Washington Monument

Try your hand at a time-honored tradition—boat building—at the
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels as part of
its Apprentice for a Day program.

Whether you’re a seasoned builder or a novice, you’ll work side
by side with master shipwrights at the museum’s boat yard beside the Miles
River, learning techniques such as steam bending, planking, varnishing,
and cutting keel.

Every week a different task is tackled—from building a new
rudder and centerboard for a skiff to creating a new mast for a small
sailboat to chopping and prepping logs to create a canoe. The museum
focuses exclusively on traditional wooden craft. Apprentices work
alongside resident shipwrights on the creation or restoration of boats
that will be used on the Chesapeake Bay—some are sold, others used by the
museum.

The cost to be an “apprentice for a day” is $45 for nonmembers
of the museum; you can sign up for any Saturday or Sunday. You can also
sign up for the Journeyman Special ($170 for nonmembers), which entitles
you to participate any four days. 213 N. Talbot St., St. Michaels;
410-745-2916.

Soar to the Clouds

96 miles from the Washington Monument

Ever wanted to learn to fly? A paraglider is a lightweight
craft that’s easy to pilot. Using updrafts created by the wind and sun,
paragliders can fly for hours, soaring up to the clouds without a motor.
Virginia Paragliding, near Charlottesville, offers a
half-day, $200 introductory clinic in which new students often solo to 200
feet high. 434-218-2359; virginiaparagliding.com.

—Matthew Graham

Time Capsule

Photograph by Andrew Propp

Clifton, with its many restored 19th-century buildings, is on
the National Register of Historic Places.

29 miles from the Washington Monument

Love old houses? Clifton, Virginia, is known for its
late-19th-century architecture—you rarely hear the town’s name mentioned
without the word “historic” preceding it.

You can park in the town center by the old red caboose, a relic
from Clifton’s heyday in the 1870s as a major rail stop. Cross the road
and start with a coffee in the blue-and-white Clifton
Café(7144 Main St.; 703-830-2424), which also serves
terrific crepes.

Next door, peek into All That Glitters(7144 Main St.; 703-830-6995), full of sparkly jewelry and
paisley purses. Cross the street again and head down Chapel Road. You’ll
pass the beautiful royal-green Woodyard House(12702
Chapel Rd.), built in 1899 by Wallace Woodyard, a lumber merchant—so
it has the finest materials and workmanship. At 12700 Chapel Road is the
old barbershop, circa 1884, now a veterinary practice. Walk a block to the
Clifton House, home to T&K Treasures(12644
Chapel Rd.; 703-266-1664), where you’ll find candles, birdhouses,
fuzzy slippers, and miniature copies of the Constitution.

Return to the corner of Chapel and Main, noticing the
green-and-white 1910 Baptist church on the corner. You’ll then come to the
orange Quigg House, circa 1874, with its fine mansard
roof. You might pause there for some soft-serve from Peterson’s
Ice CreamDepot(7150 Main St.;
703-830-7898).

You can shop for interesting collectibles at High End
Consignment and Antiques(571-213-9972) or a nice bottle
in the Clifton Wine Shop(703-266-1607), which
specializes in small wineries. Both are in the Buckley Store, built in
1900, at 7145 Main Street.

Across the railroad tracks is the 1905 Pink House—surprisingly,
it’s yellow. It’s home to La Bella Luce(7137 Main
St.; 703-830-8442), which sells antique European paintings and
ornamental plates.

Worked up an appetite? In an old gas station—the Texaco sign is
a prominent landmark—is the Clifton General Store & Main
Street Pub(7140 Main St.; 703-266-6307), with burgers,
wraps, and half a dozen beers on tap. There’s also a fine-dining option in
this town of 282 residents, Trummer’s on Main(7134
Main St.; 703-266-1623).The delicious offerings include
butter-roasted chicken and honey-glazed pork. The cocktails are excellent
and—warning!—strong.

—Janet Lewis Matricciani

Sweet Bliss

Begin an indulgent day with coffee and a breakfast pastry at
Red Truck Bakery & Market in Warrenton (22 Waterloo
St.; 540-347-2224) and a stroll in the old town, then drive 20 minutes to
Poplar Springs, the Inn Spa (9245 Rogues Rd., Casanova;
800-490-7747), for a massage or facial and poolside
relaxation.

Antiques and Ales

Photograph of Ellicott City by Losurdo Photography

32 miles from the Washington Monument

Ellicott City, Maryland, offers a bit of
English-village charm. There are historic churches, a railroad museum,
easy parking, eclectic shops and antiques stores, and several pubs: the
Diamondback Tavern, Ellicott Mills Brewing Company, and the Judge’s Bench.
The last features 17 draft beers, more than six dozen bottled beers, and
100 single-malt whiskeys.

Small Town, Big Charm

Easton, Maryland, is a sophisticated town that embraces an
indie spirit—with locally owned shops, restaurants, and art galleries,
most within a ten-block area.

Start your exploration on Washington Street at the 18th-century
courthouse and pause in front of the new 11-foot-tall
bronze-and-granite statue of Frederick Douglass, one of
the Eastern Shore’s most heroic native sons.

You could spend hours popping in and out of all the art
galleries in downtown Easton, but it also has many other interesting
shops.

From the courthouse, walk half a block to Silver
Linings(13 S. Washington St.; 410-822-7333), which
sells sterling-silver jewelry, much of it studded with unusual gemstones.
Next door is Crackerjacks(7 S. Washington St.;
410-822-7716), an old-fashioned toy store that prompts waves of
nostalgia in adults. For design inspiration, head to Lanham Hall
Design(12 N. Washington St.; 410-822-5040). This
affordable home-furnishings store stocks everything from sofas to marble
coasters.

A block away, you can lunch with locals at Out of the
Fire(22 Goldsborough St.; 410-770-4777), a
feel-good/do-good restaurant with a focus on organic and sustainable
foods.

Around the corner is Frugalicious(21 N.
Harrison St.; 410-822-3355), a high-end consignment shop for vintage
Pucci dresses, Chanel ballet flats, and Lilly Pulitzer pants. Steps away
is the new Witte Gallery(5 N. Harrison St.;
410-490-2868). In a gallery town, it stands out for its embrace of
diverse media, from mosaic to artisanal basket-weaving.

Skipped lunch? End your day by the gurgling fountain at the
Bartlett Pear Inn(28 S. Harrison St.;
410-770-3300) and settle into a multi-course meal by chef Jordan
Lloyd, formerly of New York City’s Per Se.

—Andrea C. Poe

A Day in the Country

Photograph by Marc Muench

Winding two-lane roads in Virginia can lead to tasty fare—and
pretty picnic spots.

61 miles from the Washington Monument

While we think of Virginia’s Hunt Country for, well, horses and
hunts, there’s another reason it makes for an excellent day trip: It’s one
of the area’s great drives, taking you west on the John Mosby Highway
(Route 50) through some charming historic towns, over mountains, across
the Shenandoah River, and into the foothills of the Blue Ridge. There are
excellent back roads for meandering and, perhaps, getting lost, but that’s
part of the fun. Another is the pursuit of good regional
foods.

On a Saturday morning, my taste buds light up at the thought of
freshly made ham biscuits at the Little Apple Pastry Shop
in Aldie (23217 Meetinghouse La.; 703-327-2500), bacon-maple
doughnuts at Ayrshire Farm’s Home Farm Store in
Middleburg (1 E. Washington St.; 540-687-8882), and, just up the
way, biscuits and scrambled eggs or sweet and tangy barbecue at
Market Salamander(200 W. Washington St., Middleburg;
540-687-8011). I take a cooler because I like to go home with some of
my country bounty.

Next head west through Upperville and Paris, cross the river,
and turn off at Millwood. A winding two-lane road takes you three miles
into this charming village. Your destination is the Locke
Store(2049 Millwood Rd.; 540-837-1275). Here you can
get sandwiches, salads, mac and cheese, pies, cookies, and wine to enjoy
on the lawn of the nearby Burwell-Morgan Mill (540-837-1799). Specialties are frozen soups and casseroles.
You’ll be glad you have the cooler.

After lunch, you can tour the mill or nap by the stream. When
you head back east, stop in Upperville at Trinity Episcopal
Church(9108 John S. Mosby Hwy.; 540-592-3343), a gift
to the town from Paul and Bunny Mellon, whose Rokeby Farm is nearby. The
beautiful sandstone structure is reminiscent of 12th- and 13th-century
French country churches. Out back are the simple graves of Mellon, his
father and mother, and other family members. Close by, too, is the plain
stone grave marker for Jack Kent Cooke, owner of the Washington Redskins
from 1985 until his death in 1997.

—Carol Ross Joynt

Love Antiques?

81 miles from the Washington Monument

Strasburg bills itself as Virginia’s “antiques capital,” and at
the 50,000-square-foot Strasburg Emporium, you can peruse
pieces from more than 100 dealers. 160 N. Massanutten St., Strasburg;
540-465-3711.

A Cut Above

Photograph by Erik Kvalsvik

A fox-hunt scene at Ladew Topiary Gardens features a fox,
hounds, and a rider jumping a fence.

64 miles from the Washington Monument

Ladew Topiary Gardens, in northern Maryland,
has been called the most outstanding topiary display in America. The more
than 25 gardens on the 22-acre property feature incredible and often silly
works of topiary, the art of training and trimming plants into sculpted
shapes. Admission is $13 for adults, $11 for students and seniors, $5 for
children 12 and under. 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, Md.;
410-557-9570.

—Matthew Graham

Bring Your Dog

Photograph by Jennifer Davis Heffner

Sip with your pup at dog-friendly Barrel Oak Winery.

61 miles from the Washington Monument

Start the day by exploring the trails of Sky Meadows
State Park near Delaplane, Virginia (11012 Edmonds La., White
Post; 540-592-3556), about an hour and a half from DC. The park
offers hikes of varying intensity, some with access to the Appalachian
Trail. You’ll find open grassland, wooded areas, and sweeping views of the
Blue Ridge. Remember to bring plenty of water for both you and your dog.
Later, head to a nearby dog-friendly vineyard, such as Barrel Oak
Winery(3623 Grove La., Delaplane; 540-364-6402) or
Three Fox Vineyards(10100 Three Fox La., Delaplane;
540-364-6073), for a tasting.—Marisa M. Kashino

Your next stop is at Sotterley Plantation(44300 Sotterley La., Hollywood; 301-373-2280), built in 1703 by
James Bowles, son of a wealthy tobacco merchant. The manor, older than
Mount Vernon, sits on 95 waterfront acres and features a rare restored
slave cabin. You can tour the manor house: Its Chinese Chippendale
staircase and shell alcoves in the drawing room are among the finest
examples of 18th-century American woodwork. Bring a blanket and enjoy your
crabcakes in the beautiful gardens.

Then drive 20 miles south to Historic St. Mary’s
City(visitors center at 18751 Hogaboom La.; 800-762-1634),
Maryland’s first capital, where costumed interpreters re-create
17th-century life near a reconstructed State House and working Colonial
archaeology site. It was here that the first effort to separate church and
state was made, the first woman in English America petitioned to vote, and
the first man of African descent in North America became a
legislator.

—Kayleigh Kulp

Toes in the Sand

Photograph of beach by Andrew Propp

On a hot summer day, you can cool off at Gunpowder Falls State
Park, just an hour or so from Washington.

57 miles from the Washington Monument

Looking for a sandy beach only an hour or so from Washington?
There are choices along the Chesapeake Bay, but summer is jellyfish season
in the bay’s warm, brackish waters.

To avoid the sting of nature and of traffic crossing the Bay
Bridge, you can head north of Baltimore to the wonderful Gunpowder
Falls State Park Hammerman Area. On a wide section of the
Gunpowder River where it meets the bay, the park features a
1,500-foot-long sandy beach. Because of the river’s current, there rarely
are jellyfish.

The swimming area includes lifeguards (Thursday through Sunday
and holidays); a pavilion with changing rooms and showers; a concession
stand with hot dogs, ice cream, and snacks; and a large deck overlooking
the beach. A lawn next to the beach features shade trees and picnic tables
and grills (first come, first served). Picnic shelters may be rented with
advance reservations and include an alcohol-permit option.

The beach is also home to Ultimate Watersports(410-335-5352), which offers rentals and lessons for windsurfing
and Hobie Cat sailing. On hot summer days, southerly winds funnel up the
Chesapeake into the mouth of the Gunpowder to create smooth breezes
perfect for learning either sport. Kayak rentals, instruction, and nature
tours are also available. Or try the latest in water sports: standup
paddle-boarding. The large, stable boards make it easy to surf the waves
rolling toward the beach. Sandals or water shoes are required for use of
all equipment.

Festival Fun

87 miles from the Washington Monument

The Seafood Feast-I-Val in Cambridge,
Maryland, on August 11 offers Eastern Shore favorites such as steamed crab
and local corn, plus raucous live music and plenty of beer. Adults $35
before August 5, $40 after; children $10.
seafoodfeastival.com.

Take a Dip

At Hunting Creek Lake, in Maryland’s
Cunningham Falls State Park, there are three designated areas where you
can swim. We recommend avoiding the crowds at the two beaches near the
park entrance and driving around this cool Catoctin Mountains lake to the
quieter northern beach. While in the park, don’t miss beautiful Cunningham
Falls, the largest cascading waterfall in Maryland. The weekday entrance
fee is $3 a person for state residents, $5 for others; weekends are $5 and
$7. 14039 Catoctin Hollow Rd., Thurmont;
301-271-7574.

—Matthew Graham

Floating Through History

River & Trail Outfitters offers guided tubing on Antietam
Creek.

69 miles from the Washington Monument

Antietam Creek near Boonsboro, Maryland, is a natural oasis for
escaping Washington’s muggy heat. Down in the “holler” under a canopy of
trees, the spring-fed waterway cools the air to nearly 20 degrees below
that of the surrounding countryside.

River & Trail Outfitters(301-695-5177; rivertrail.com) runs guided 4½-hour tubing trips
on the creek. The gentle float includes a waterside picnic lunch and a few
easy rapids along sections flowing through Antietam National Battlefield.
The cost is $45.

Before or after the float, you can tour the battlefield. The
clash at Antietam was the Civil War’s bloodiest day; more than 23,000
soldiers were killed, wounded, or went missing on September 17,
1862.

The National Park Service is honoring the 150th anniversary of
the battle September 15 through 17 with demonstrations, lectures, and
memorial services. A park pass good for three days costs $4 for adults or
$6 for any size family in one car; children 15 and younger are free.
301-432-5124; nps.gov/ancm.

—Matthew Graham

Set Sail

79 miles from the Washington Monument

Aboard the Sultana, a replica of an
18th-century British Royal Navy schooner, you can help hoist the sails and
steer the ship, or just enjoy the Chester River ride past historic
mansions, swaths of wild coastline, and osprey gliding to their nests.
Friday nights feature live music on deck. Two-hour sails are $30 and up
for adults; most depart from Chestertown, Maryland. 410-778-5954;
sultanaprojects.org.